Month February 2024

The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearse @LesleyPearse @ed_pr #autobiography #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearse. This is a candid book that which Lesley shares her life, loves and losses.

My huge thanks to Katie at ed public relations for sending me a copy of this wonderful book.

I would also like to wish Lesley a “Very Happy Publication Day”

One of the world’s bestselling storytellers, Lesley Pearse writes brilliantly about survivors. Why? Because she is one herself . . .Born during the Second World War, Lesley’s innocence came to an abrupt end when a neighbour found her, aged 3, coatless in the snow. The mother she’d been unable to wake had been dead for days. Sent to an orphanage, Lesley soon learned adults couldn’t always be trusted.As a teenager in the swinging sixties, she took herself to London. Here, the second great tragedy of her life occurred. Falling pregnant, she was sent to a mother and baby home, and watched helplessly as her newborn was taken from her.But like so many of her generation, Lesley had to carry on. She was, after all, a true survivor. Marriage and children followed – and all the while she nurtured a to be a writer. Yet it wasn’t until at the age of 48 that her stories – of women struggling in a difficult world – found a publisher, and the bestseller lists beckoned.As heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, Lesley’s story really is A Long and Winding Road with surprises and uplifting hope around every corner . . .

MY REVIEW

I have read a few of Lesley’s books and she is a wonderful author. This is not like her fictional works, but it is the story of her life.

Lesley was raised partly in an orphanage until her father remarried and she had a stepmother. Tensions were fraught and it did affect Lesley in later life, but it was not something she realised at the time.

Striking out on her own, Lesley moved and lived in various places, not very grand and often not very habitable. This was in the 60s and my goodness she has got a lot of stories from that period of her life. I get the feeling that even though she tells a lot there is a lot more that has been unsaid. Her time in this decade and the following ones read like something out of a fictional piece of the time or that you would expect to see on the screen. Lesley has had a colourful and also quite a frantic life and she is what I would call affectionately “a heller”!

Lesley has a wonderful way of sharing her story and it seems that she does not shy away from telling the bad as well as the good. I think the bad stuff has helped to shape her but as I mentioned earlier, it did not come without pain and future problems.

The author tells this wonderful tale of some of the best periods of her life and the things that have made her happy. Music was a big part of her life growing up and she does list various soundtracks that she reminisces over like milestones.

The young girl who was born during WWII has taken many different jobs and has lots of different talents and it seems she can turn her hand to most things. She has always been fond of stories and making tales up, but it took her until her late 40s before she finally got her first book published. This has led to some very unexpected doors being opened with some surprising entrances being made.

This is a wonderful book to read, it is full of fun and frivolity but balanced with more down-to-earth struggles of real-world problems. A real eye-opener for sure and one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

Lesley Pearse is one of the UK’s best-loved novelists with fans across the globe and sales of over 2 million copies of her books to date. A true storyteller and a master of gripping storylines that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end, Pearse introduces you to characters that it is impossible not to care about or forget. There is no formula to her books or easily defined genre. Whether crime as in ‘Till We Meet Again’, historical adventure like ‘Never Look Back’, or the passionately emotive ‘Trust Me’, based on the true-life scandal of British child migrants sent to Australia in the post war period, she engages the reader completely.
Truth is often stranger than fiction and Lesley’s life has been as packed with drama as her books. She was three when her mother died under tragic circumstances. Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused – their mother had been dead for some time. With her father in the Royal Marines, Lesley and her older brother spent three years in grim orphanages before her father remarried – a veritable dragon of an ex army nurse – and Lesley and her older brother were brought home again, to be joined by two other children who were later adopted by her father and stepmother, and a continuing stream of foster children. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley’s early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. It was an extraordinary childhood and in all her books, Lesley has skilfully married the pain and unhappiness of her early experiences with a unique gift for storytelling.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Talking with Psychopaths by Christopher Berry-Dee @bonnierbooks_uk #nonfiction #educational #truecrime #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of Talking with Psychopaths by Christopher Berry-Dee. This is the first time I have read a book by this author but I am glad to see that there are more for me to read.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of the book from the publisher Bonnier Books.

The plea of insanity in criminal cases can be traced back at least to the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi, which dates from 1755-1759 BC. It is a complicated defence, and its origins in modern law lie with what are called the ‘M’Naghten Rules’ of 1843, formulated by British judges as a jury instruction in cases where a plea of insanity had been entered. Daniel M’Naghten shot and killed one Edward Drummond, believing him to be the British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, and was acquitted on the grounds of insanity, and the M’Naghten Rules still exert considerable influence over defences today. Clearly, a plea of insanity in murder cases is of critical importance when the death penalty is still applied, and even today it may still be the difference between a life sentence in a high-security prison, or an indeterminate one in a secure psychiatric hospital. Meanwhile, 27 of the USA’s 50 states have retained or readopted the death penalty, and at least 54 other countries, including China, Russia, India, Iran and Saudi Arabia, also retain it. Naturally, a criminal who was liable to swing for murder could, and sometimes did, make every attempt to appear insane, and this book examines some of these cases, as well as trials in which the accused was indeed judged to be insane. The failure rate is high; of seven American serial killers who deployed the defence in their trials, only two were successful, ending their days in secure psychiatric facilities; two were executed, and the other three either died or were killed while serving full-life sentences, or are still in gaol.

MT REVIEW

I like to read books about true crime, especially ones that look at cases from the past and how treatments were performed. The author has brought all these things together to look at cases from the past and also some of the more recent ones. American serial killers are most often represented on streaming shows and there is also a good amount from other countries as well.

I think there is an interest in how people’s minds work, especially those of serial killers, a morbid curiosity if you like. So this book looks at cases, treatments and how the plea of insanity is used in defense. Sometimes it works and at others, it does not, the author does ask at the end of each chapter if you think the killer is mad, insane or just evil.

The author has quite a laid-back way of presenting his findings, the cases, the treatments and also how the trials went with the outcomes. At times he has quite a jovial manner and this is actually quite refreshing and it does lighten the mood of what could be an intense subject. This does not mean he is joking about the crimes or the impacts though. He does not rely on the heavy use of jargon which again is good as it means the book keeps the readers’ interest as it is not to science or education.

This is the first book I have read by this author but I am aware of him writing others, these are referred to several times during the book. Others are also referred to and one of these I have read.

This is a well-laid-out book, it is the author’s opinions and he does have a good background to be able to make the observations he does. He has a background as an Intelligence Officer and has interviewed many serial killers. This is an author who would definitely make an interesting conversationalist as a dinner guest!

I liked this book a lot and I will be looking at reading more of his books.

This is a book that will interest those who have a, yes I am going to use the phrase again, ‘morbid fascination’ with serial killers, insanity pleas, and want a more relaxed approach rather than a technical or jargon-laden book. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post,a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 25th Feb 2024) #booknews #bookupdates #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 4 Comments

Welcome to another weekly update of books I have read. What an awful lot of weather we have had down here in Cornwall, sunshine, showers, downpours, hailstorms and wind all over just a few days! This month also saw the last full moon of the winter, it is known as a Snow Moon so that obviously meant we had to have a swim in the local harbour, we also had a dip earlier in the day. Saturday was glorious, Sunday was an absolute wash-out with wind and waves that were a bit too rough for swimming safely in.

Here is what I have read this week…

The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearce – this is an autobiography of the author and she is very candid in her life and choices she made. Full review out soon, Publication Day is due on 29th Feb 2024.

The Escape Room by L.D. Smithson – this is a book that blew me away, if left my brain tangled and twisted in such a good way and took me 24hrs to get my head write to even think about writing a review, which will follow as part of the Blog tour. Publication Date – 14th March 2024

Empire of The Damned by Jay Kristoff – a brilliant 2nd book in the series and full of supernatural, fantasy horror suspense, fast paced and fabulous reading. Full review will follow soon. Publication Date – 29th Feb 2024.

Have a wonderful week ahead,

Happy Reading

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

How to Wild Swim by Ella Foote #wildswimming #nonfiction #nature #mentalhealth #sports #bookreview

yvonnembee 5 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for How to Wild Swim – What to Know before taking the plunge by Ella Foote. Some of my regular readers will be aware that I started sea swimming last year and love it. When I saw this book available to review on Amazon Vine I knew it was one I wanted to read and review. Hopefully, some of you will take a look at the book and take the plunge yourselves 🙂

Practical advice and instruction to get the very best out of wild swimming.

The manual every amateur wild swimmer needs to read before diving in.

Whether you want to explore remote beaches and mountain lochs, improve your confidence in open water, refine your swimming technique, or have a race or long-distance swim challenge coming up, How to Wild Swim offers the perfect practical foundation to help you find your perfect adventure and achieve your goal.

This body conditioning sport is praised for not only making us stronger and healthier but also happier. Wetsuits are optional; in fact, no expensive gear is essential. Nailing the how-to, however, is key. Expert wild swimmer Ella Foote offers the ultimate guide to mastering the practicalities and techniques and answers your most frequently asked questions so that you can feel safe, have fun, and re-energize.

So no matter what your goal—short wild swims and weekend breaks, to full adventure swimming expeditions and off-grid vacations—dive right in and submerge yourself in the wild, watery pages of this fearless book.

160 pages, Hardcover

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous book for anyone thinking about Wild Swimming. I am a wild swimmer and I swim in the sea. Living on the coast means I am aware of the dangers of sea swimming, tides, currents, rips and also how things can go wrong quickly. This book gives a good basic grounding in what to expect, and things you should have and consider before “taking the plunge”.

When I first started swimming it was in October so already the temps were starting to drop. I have just got back from a swim this morning, it’s now February and I have learnt a lot. This book contains many things that I did not think about before I started and it also advises about the best way to go about wild swimming.

This book is well laid out, it does give a lot of information, advice and facts but not in a way that puts you off, instead, it is pointing out what you should know rather than putting you off.

Chapters include items you should think about buying such as gloves, boots or socks, having a tow float, whistle and dry warm clothes to change into. I did myself a tow float which is a buoyancy aid that is in a nice bright colour, I also invested in a whistle so that if I did get into trouble I could alert others and they would find it easier to see me.

This book is great, and it includes things that I had not come across so is useful for beginners as well as those who have some experience. It is a book you can dip in and out of or read from cover to cover.

I like this book a lot and it is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callahan #fiction #crime #mystery #thriller #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today of In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callahan. I had seen many great reviews about this book and finally bought myself a copy when it was released in paperback. It is a brilliant book and I can see why it has gone down so well with many fans. It is thought-provoking, to say the least!

In the Blink of An Eye by Jo Callaghan

In the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds.
Just gone. Vanished. In the blink of an eye. 

DCS Kat Frank knows all about loss. A widowed single mother, Kat is a cop who trusts her instincts. Picked to lead a pilot programme that has her paired with AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity) Lock, Kat’s instincts come up against Lock’s logic. But when the two missing person’s cold cases they are reviewing suddenly become active, Lock is the only one who can help Kat when the case gets personal. 

AI versus human experience. 
Logic versus instinct.
With lives on the line can the pair work together before someone else becomes another statistic? 

In the Blink of an Eye is a dazzling debut from an exciting new voice that asks us what we think it means to be human. 

MY REVIEW

I have recently bought this book and I did wait until it came out in paperback. I have an advance copy of the next book I wanted to read, In the Blink of an Eye, to see if it was as good as people said. It definitely is and I am so eager to read the next one.

Kat is DCS Kat Frank and Lock is AIDE Lock, (Artificial intelligence detective entity). Kat has been asked to lead the pilot program for this new tech that will hopefully help the police and if all goes well to go further. Kat is very anti AI and the reason why is not known until much further into the book. Her reasons are justified when you do learn. Even though she is not a fan she does start to see that there are some advantages, but there is also a lot for Lock to learn. He may know the rulebook inside out but he does not know people.

The pilot is to look at some cold cases, there are several to choose from unfortunately and two cases are chosen. One is based on knowledge and the other on fact. given that the cases are cold, it comes as a surprise to find that these are not as cold as they think. Some shocking revelations and some real soul-searching for those involved in the cases.

There are two other detectives involved with this book, one meek and uncertain the other confident and I think you could call him a go-getter. They have their own stories and these also emerge I liked this as often you find that it is only the main characters that have details of their home lives revealed. I think because Kat’s side-kick is an AI rather than a person it does give the author the scope to include details of the other human members of the team.

The book is laid out in chapters and these do vary in length, but another voice is heard occasionally. I thought I was on the right path with who this voice is but I was completely wrong about the context. A fabulous revelation when it finally dawned on me!

This is a great story and one that would be brilliant for a book club discussion, there are things in the story that show prejudice and stereotyping but these views do differ as the story continues. Even though Lock is an AI he does have a good role in the story, and he does have some very awkward moments which does enamour him to the reader.

A story that mixes science and technology with good old-fashioned hunches and gut instincts. It is so well done and because of the mentions of the progress of AI in the news you can see this being a possibility. This then begs the question… will it happen and when!!!

This is one for fans of crime, thriller, and mystery books that have something different, it is a police procedural but it also looks into the lives of its main characters and how these could impact a case or are perceived. So, in some ways, it does have a psychological edge to it as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book and it is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or a share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff #fantasy #horror #thriller #vampires #bookreview

yvonnembee 1 Comment

I am delighted to share my review today of Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. This is the first book in the series and one that I bought last year but just got to. I do have the second book to read from NetGalley so I wanted to read these in order.

From holy cup comes holy light;
The faithful hands sets world aright.
And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,
Mere man shall end this endless night.

It has been twenty-seven long years since the last sunrise. For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity; building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. Now, only a few tiny sparks of light endure in a sea of darkness.

Gabriel de León is a silversaint: a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending realm and church from the creatures of the night. But even the Silver Order couldn’t stem the tide once daylight failed us, and now, only Gabriel remains.

Imprisoned by the very monsters he vowed to destroy, the last silversaint is forced to tell his story. A story of legendary battles and forbidden love, of faith lost and friendships won, of the Wars of the Blood and the Forever King and the quest for humanity’s last remaining hope:

The Holy Grail.

MY REVIEW

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I can definitely say it will not be the last. This is the first book in the Empire of the Vampire series, the second book is due at the end of this month(Feb 2024).

The story is about Gabriel de León, Gabe is a half-breed and is taken from his home to train as a Silversaint. His mother was human and his father was a vampire. He is not the only half-breed in this book but he is slightly different to the others. Most have a special gift, yet, Gabe doesn’t seem to have one. He is looked down upon, and he must make an extra effort every stage of his training. He is deemed to be worthless and from peasant stock.

The story of Gabe, his time before going to the Silver Order Brotherhood, and his battles against monsters and other enemies. It is not told in the usual way, instead he is relating history to another. The scribe he is dictating to is a vampire, they are enemies but Gabe has no choice but to divulge his story.

This was a fabulous read and I am so glad I eventually came to reading this one. The story is of family, friendship and serving a higher order. This is a story of how Gabe found and then lost his faith but also of how he has become the feared man he is known as.

The author gives a huge amount of detail to Gabe and those he gradually befriends. A mix of mystery and murder with horror and paranormal aspects to it. It is not a straightforward fantasy novel but one that mixes a lot of things into it. This in some ways gives it a historical fiction feel but it is obviously fantasy as there are the vampires! Mentions of knights, grail, secret orders, and inquisition, give it knights templar-style, but a darker and definitely a lot more dangerous.

The vampires do have some things that are an accepted version of how they can be killed but the author takes it a lot further. The world in which he sets this story is one where the darkness is taking over, the sun is not as bright as it used to be and the tie of dark days and darker nights give vampires an extra edge. This does not mean that the silver order is without power, they have their own powers, and they can fight and kill.

Gabe is a character who comes across as a loner, secretive and also an angry character. There is not much about him that you like as such, but that does not mean he is completely unlikeable. The further I read about him the more I was able to get to understand him. His story is one of fights, flights, battles, and secrets and every step of his journey is full of action, adventure, revenge, determination and there is a lot more as well.

After reading this first book I cannot wait to get to the next one. I will also be looking at other books by this author and I am so happy to add another fantasy author to my list. A brilliant start to a series and if you are a fan of high fantasy then this is one you should have a look at. I adored this and I would definitely recommend it.

About the Author…

Jay Kristoff is a #1 international, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction. He is the winner of eight Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, has over two million books in print and is published in over thirty five countries, most of which he has never visited. He is as surprised about all of this as you are. He is 6’7 and has approximately 12,000 days to live.

He does not believe in happy endings.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 18th February 2024) #booknews #booklove #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 2 Comments

Hello and welcome to my weekly round-up of books I have read.

We have had a mix of sunshine and showers this week and I have managed to get several swims in the sea this week. I did have a wander around the garden and I can start to see plenty of little buds on the trees and got a couple of photos as the daffs are really looking good. Their yellow heads stand out really well this time of year.

Here are the books I have read this week…

Talking with Psychopaths and Savages by Christopher Berry-Dee is a very easy to read book and the author does a great job of showing how the insanity plea has been used, abused and manipulated over time. Keep an eye out for the full review as part of the Blog Tour.

In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan is a fabulous book that I adored, as I have the next book in this series to read I thoguht it was about time I got a wriggle on and read this fiorst one. I had recently bought the paperback and it is so good. The review will follow soon.

How to Wild Swim by Ella Foote was a book that was available to review via the Amazon Vine program and is a brilliant book for anyone thinking about wild swimming. Full of great tips and advice. Review will follow soon.

The Dream Home by T.M. Logan is a tweisted and devious book for a family moving into their new home. I do like this authors books and this latest one has some bombshells that I did not see! Full review as part of the Blog Tour.

There we go, another week done and dusted,

Have a great week ahead,

All the best,

Yvonne xx

Many thnaks for reading my post, a like or share woudl be amazing 🙂 xx

Stop at Nothing by Lucy Martin @lucymartinbooks #psychological #thriller #crime #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review today of Stop at Nothing by Lucy Martin. I was very fortunate to win this and a further two books in this series after entering a competition on Karen’s fabulous Blog – My Reading Corner.

The chilling break out thriller, perfect for fans of Cara Hunter, Fiona Barton and Gillian Flynn.

How far would you go to get what you want?

Amie Slade’s sexual assault feels too close to home for DS Ronnie Delmar. Forced to face the demons of her past, she vows to protect the family at all costs.

But everyone’s got a secret in this leafy suburb and when a child goes missing and a woman’s body is found, it becomes clear that this perfect family hides a sinister reality.

Someone here will stop at nothing to win, but can Ronnie beat them to it?

MY REVIEW

This is the first book in the DS Ronnie DElmas series and what an amazing introduction this book is to Ronnie. The book focuses on the Slade family and in particular Amie Slade. She lives with her older brother Andrew, her mum and dad Maeve and Stuart. The family is broken with Maeve being obsessive about having an orderly and tidy house, Andrew is always in his room and getting ready to go to university and Stuart is about to drop a bombshell.

Amie is a young teen who has had trouble in past. She was the victim of sexual abuse and this is something that hangs over her constantly as you would expect. She moves schools and has only one friend.

Ronnie (Veronica) is a hard-working single mum and also a Detective Sergeant, she has split from her husband and has two children. She has a secret from her past. Her second in command so to speak is Baz, he is someone whom she is not totally sure about and when an accusation is made about Ronnie she is not sure who made it. Ronnie has some very close friends and she will rely on these as this complex case gradually unfolds.

What is the case? Well, that is not really revealed as such until much later when the body of a woman is discovered. The author cleverly lays out the story and gives a lot of information leading up to the discovery of the body which occurs when a child goes missing.

This story will have you second-guessing yourself, well it did me for sure. I like it when an author can twist me around like this. One moment feeling sorry then suspicious and then guilty for feeling suspicious. This is something that I love in a psychological thriller and this definitely has a psychological theme to it.

The story starts out well and there was something about it that just kept me hooked and I found myself just reading one more chapter, and another until I got to the end. There were many twists and revelations to be had.

Seeing this is the start of the series I am looking forward to getting to know Ronnie a bit more. She is definitely a female lead that I like. If you are a fan of very devious and twisted psychological crime thrillers then this is one that will keep you on your toes. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book.

About the Author…

One-time reluctant lawyer, turned entrepreneur and novelist with a life-long passion for supporting women…

My first book was Make It Your Business, a business start-up guide for women co-authored with Bella Mehta in 2002, followed by The Childcare Bible in 2010 and then when I became a teacher, a series of modern language handbooks for my students. I am now working on a crime thriller series to be published by Welbeck in October 2021.

I grew up in Brussels and London, and have a first class degree in French and Russian from Wadham College, Oxford. I am a qualified solicitor, contributor to BBC Bitesize French and the founder of networking group Wimbledon Women in Business.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith @thewilbursmith @Tr4cyF3nt0n @ZaffreBooks #teamwilbur #TheCourtneys #historicalfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee

I am delighted to share my review of Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith. This is the 9th published book and the 1st in the Birds of Prey Trilogy.

My huge thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for arranging my copy of this and the previous book was part of the ongoing promotional campaign with Zaffre Books.

“Africa!” The sound of that mysterious name on his own lips raised goose pimples along his arms and made the thick dark hair prickle on the back of his neck.

A simple mission. A battle for their lives.

It is 1667 and the war between the Dutch and the English continues apace. Sir Francis Courtney, his son Hal, and their crew are carried around the southern tip of the African colonies by the good ship Lady Edwina, licensed to attack and seize the treasure-laden ships of the Dutch East India Company. When they capture a Dutch trader and hold the passengers to ransom, Sir Francis hopes only for a good price and a small sense of satisfaction.

But this is unlawful territory they sail in. An unexpected betrayal will mean the men on board will face greater peril than they have ever faced before – and many good men may never see home again…

MY REVIEW

If you have read any of The Courtney series books, then you will be aware that they often come in trilogies and flit across each one. Birds of Prey is the 9th published Courtney title and the 1st in the Birds of Prey Trilogie. This one starts in 1667, during the Ottoman Empire, Moguls, slave trade, Dutch East India Company and the Dutch had raided the dockyards at Medway, it is during this period the story starts and a peace agreement is just being signed.

This is the story of Hal, or to give him his full name, Henry Courtney, son of Sir Francis Courtney and they are aboard the Lady Edwina. They follow the order of knights known as Nautonniers, and Hal is learning from his father what this will mean.

During a skirmish, the crew and ship are taken, not before father and son have removed the treasure and coin they have amassed and hidden it. This is where Hal will learn what it takes to grow up into a man and what he needs to do to prove his father’s innocence and look at revenge for what he has been through.

With these books, the Courtney men are strong and easy on the eye as they always appear to have no shortage of women. Hal is no different, he like most of the others though, is not a womaniser. He is growing into a man and he has beside him some friends who have helped bring him up aboard the ship. These men are loyal and help imbue morals, loyalty, respect and empathy.

This is what I would call a “proper swash-buckler”, it is full of pirates, battles, warfare, travel, missions escapes and so much more. It is a book full of action and adventure, romance, life and death from the first pages through to the last.

As Hal moves through into being a young man he has dealt with a lot, but his upbringing has prepared him. Even though he is young he has experience and this will prove essential as he asks seasoned seamen to follow him.

The story takes Hal from life on the sea to being imprisoned, taking revenge and following an idea and religious mission. The author brings so many things to this book and I do think this is one of my favourites. The battles are amazing to read as are the trials and tribulations that are part of the journey.

This is one for those who like historical fiction and one I would definitely recommend.

About the Author…

Wilbur Smith was the bestselling author of many novels, each researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His bestselling Courtney series includes Assegai, The Sound of Thunder, Birds of Prey, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon. His other books include Those in Peril, River God, Warlock, The Seventh Scroll, and The Sunbird.

His books have been translated into twenty-six languages and have sold over 120 million copies. Smith was born to a British family in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa, and attended Rhodes University in South Africa. By the time of his death in 2021 he had published 49 books and had sold more than 140 million copies.

Wilbur Smith died at his Cape Town home on November 13, 2021. He was 88 years old at the time of his death.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

My Week In Books (w/e 11th February 2024) #booklove #booknews #MeAndMyBooks

yvonnembee 2 Comments

Hello and welcome to my weekly update of the books I have read. It has been a good week for books and also for swimming. I did manage to get out three times this week for a swim in between showers and I did get a good dunking when a wave crashed over my head! I also managed to swim with a seal, well not really with a seal, but he bobbed his head up close to us a few times.

The three books I have read this week are from three different genres, and two were 700+ pages so I am definitely happy with the amount I have read…

Birds of Prey by Wilbur Smith is the 9th book in the Courtney series and the 1st in the Bord of Prey trilogy. This is an action and adventure-laden book from the start to the finish. The full review will be out this week.

Stop at Nothing by Lucy Martin – I won three books by this author before Christmas and this is the first one and it is brilliant. Dark, twisted and so addictive. Full rev review soon.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff – I have the second book in this series to read from NetGalley so I thought I better read the first book as I had already bought it for my Kindle. This first book is just brilliant, action-packed, dangerous, and has left me definitely looking forward to reading the next one.

Three excellent books!

Have a great week ahead.

All the best

Yvonne xx

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx